TWO £multi-million centres of excellence will be at the heart of Herefordshire's hopes of being heavily involved in preparations for the London Olympics in 2012.

Planning permission has already been given for a purpose-built indoor riding arena for Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled at Wharton Bank near Leominster.

And Herefordshire Council is anticipating, in the near future, an application to develop a new sports and complementary therapy centre with accommodation at the Royal National College for the Blind.

Both projects are likely to be speeded up following the decision to bring the Games to Britain in seven years' time.

The county has already received a boost from Phil Lane, chief executive of the British Paralympics, who endorsed Herefordshire's case during a visit to the county, saying that it had unique facilities for the disabled and had a good chance of becoming a holding camp.

The Herefordshire Olympic-Paralympic group, which was formed last year to promote the county as a venue for the Games, is working closely with key organisers locally and nationally to secure a role for the county.

The group has now linked with the West Midlands Olympic Committee to commission an audit of the region's facilities in order to attract teams.

The audit, undertaken by Richard Callicott, chief executive of UK Sport, was launched at the International Children's Games in Coventry last Friday.

"Herefordshire now has an opportunity to play its role in the London 2012 Games and be part of the country's sporting legacy," said Herefordshire Council leader Roger Phillips.

"It's an opportunity that I hope we can take full advantage of and an opportunity to raise the profile of Herefordshire to a global audience."